A Drop of Corruption

The bells toll noisily for hours. None of the Treasure delegation members are in their rooms. Ana receives a note from Prince Camak di Lalaca, the heir to the Yarrow throne, reporting that they have arrested Kardas as the king’s suspected murderer and wish the Iudex’s aid in investigating. Ana’s warning has made the prince doubt Kardas’s guilt. Ana, Malo, and Din travel to the High Court, Ana furious that her warning to Kardas was too late. As they approach the High City (which is called the “the city of ancients” in the local language [256]), Ana warns them to give no indication that they have been summoned by the prince, per his request.

Din finds the elaborate stonework of the High City impressive. The messenger who greets them suspiciously demands to know if they are armed. When they confirm they aren’t, they’re led into the throne room to meet the prince. Prince Carmak, who strikes Din as unimpressive, is joined by Jari Pavitar and Satrap Darhi. (They later learn that Carmak is secretly Pyktis in disguise, and that he has been conspiring with Darhi to destroy the marrow, thus forcing the Empire to continue paying Yarrow to use